Monday, September 11, 2006

Remembering 9-11

Today, the fifth anniversary of 9-11, is an emotional day for me. I've been to the site of Ground Zero twice since the attacks, the most recent time this summer. It's still a sacred ground, with visitors paying it mostly silent and respectful attention. I took my children, so that they will remember it as the hole in the ground, before they build anything on it. I'm hoping they're smart and create something as impactful as the Vietnam War Memorial and the Oklahoma City Memorial -- and not another shopping mall.




With a father in the military, a husband who is former military, a cousin who is serving in Iraq, and a number of friends in the New York area, the entire event hits me hard whenever I think about it. I didn't know anyone in the towers, though I did know one of the people on one of the planes (I had interviewed him years ago when I worked for a Massachusetts newspaper). Nevertheless, when those names are read, those people become real. They had--have--families. Children. Brothers. Sisters. Parents. Cousins. Nieces. Nephews. Friends. Jobs.



I think of the heroes of Flight 93 and would like to hope I, too, would be as brave as them should the worst ever happen. We never really know how we'll behave in a crisis until one occurs. I think of the time my daughter choked on a quarter and I had to Heimlich her. I always thought I'd be the kind of person who panics in an emergency but when you're alone in a car on a secluded road with a baby who is turning blue, you learn pretty quick that panicking is not an option.

I printed off the pictures of our World Trade Center visit and sent them to school with the kids. I hope that they'll share them with their class, because I know few of their classmates will ever see that sacred site. But most of all, I hope they share how that visit made them feel. How awed they were by the enormity of the hole, the steel cross that still stands there, the flags placed around the site, the Liberty Street fire station that had placed a beautiful memorial to their lost brothers.




Remember our heroes,

Shirley

4 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:09 PM

    Shirley, Thanks for sharing your pics and memories.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous1:10 PM

    Shirley, thanks for sharing your memories and pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous1:10 PM

    Shirley, thanks for sharing your memories and pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous2:48 PM

    My husband was a Seattle Fire Fighter and actually was taken directly down to Ground Zero. He was so moved that he called me immediately from NYC and was so emotional.

    As for the military, they so deserve our prayers. I saw this posted on another romance board and thought I would share....hope it's ok.

    Author Lori Foster and organizers of Holidays for the Troops campaign are collecting donations of items to be sent to the troops (monetary contributions via check, money order or store gift cards are also requested). All donors' names will be included in a raffle for prizes like autographed books, author goodies and much more. This project is currently in full swing and will run until October 31 at which time the raffle drawing will be held. The boxes will be mailed out to the troops during the second week of November to ensure delivery prior to the holidays.

    http://lorifoster.com/community/militarytribute.htm

    ReplyDelete

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